A new adult novel that perfectly captures the existential angst of your early twenties with raw wit, fresh insight, and true feeling from a critically adored USA TODAY bestselling author.

Joshua Miles has spent his early twenties spinning his wheels. Working dead-end jobs and living at home has left him exhausted and uninspired, with little energy to pursue his passion for graphic art. Until he meets Gemma Henare, a vivacious out-of-towner from New Zealand. What begins as a one-night stand soon becomes a turning point for Josh. He can’t get Gemma out of his head, even after she has left for home, and finds himself throwing caution to the wind for the first time in his life.

It’s not long before Josh is headed to New Zealand with only a backpack, some cash, and Gemma’s name to go on. But when he finally tracks her down, he finds his adventure is only just beginning. Equally infatuated, Gemma leads him on a whirlwind tour across the beautiful country, opening Josh up to life, lust, love, and all the messy heartache in between. Because, when love drags you somewhere, it might never let go even when you know you have to say goodbye.

Kristie’s $0.02:

I adored Josh’s character. Still in his early twenties. He is just going through the motions. His dream is to become a graphic artist. He has never been big on taking risks or chances and after being with Gemma. She has awaken something in him.

Gemma has closed herself off after tragically losing her father and her life’s dream. In a sense she comes off this risk taking carefree person but back at home, she too is going through the motions. Like she did for Josh, he broke through her barriers and slowly helped her face her fears and made her see she too has to take a risk, let go of the past to live in the present to go after her dreams.

After an amazing few weeks together, they both leave each other with broken hearts. Gemma comes to

Fact of life; a majority of people are still trying to figure out where they want to take their lives at such young ages. This is an awesome story about self-discovery, taking chances, letting go of the past, being strong enough to do things again although it may be different and of course falling in love. I absolutely loved the characters and their chemistry.

Karina Halle created such a wonderful story that proves life is what you make it and sometimes taking chances can lead to the best things in life.

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Cammie:
It’s been ten years since I’ve seen him. Ten years. I have no idea what he’s doing,where he’s been or if he’s even still single. Have I thought about him over the years? Of course. Absolutely. But that doesn’t mean anything, right? Just because you think about the boy you used to be in love with doesn’t mean you’re still in love with them now. Does it?

Dalton:
I haven’t seen her in ten years. She’s the whole reason I’m even coming to this reunion. If it wasn’t for her, I would have stayed home. I made mistakes back in high school. Hell, I was just a kid then. But I’m here to right my wrongs,tell her I’m sorry and win her back. She changed my whole life and she doesn’t even know it. It’s time she knew.

K3’s $0.02:

No one ever said love was easy. And if they did, they lied.

We’ve all been there. You know, that high school sweetheart or crush. The one who stole your heart, who captured your attention all the time, that kiss that meant the world to you, a touch that would make you melt and two arms that made you feel safe. Feelings like that, you never really get over. Like most high school romances, it all ends in the blink on an eye.

Cammie has loved Dalton since she was fourteen years old. He was the light in her life when she was in her darkest moments. The kisses he would sneak from her calmed her, his touches warmed her heart. Then one day everything changed.

Life moves on and for Cammie, she was never really able to find “the one”. But hey, you live and you learn. As hard as you try to forget and try to move on, that dang heart doesn’t want to listen. Then you find yourself wondering what if as you prepare to attend your ten year high school reunion.

Dalton had become so ingrained, so easily a part of me, that not even surgery could remove him.

Dalton can’t figure out for the life of him where he went wrong with Cammie. One day they are head over heels for each other and then the next day, she refuses to acknowledge his existence. In the blink of an eye they have graduated and are off to college. It is hard to move forward with your life when someone still has your heart.

With his ten year reunion, Dalton is set on making things right with Cammie. No longer a teenage boy, he is determined to keep her in his life this time and he isn’t going down without a fight.

Fate has a funny way of bringing people back into your lives and it is impossible to deny what your heart has always wanted. No relationship is easy, life has a way of testing your limits to the point of no return. For Cammie, the haunting fear of her past put a damper on her happiness with Dalton, especially because of his job. This is something that Cammie struggles with and in the end is her breaking point.

Happily-ever-after seemed to be something that eluded me, and I wondered if it always would

Dalton is over the moon to be reunited with Cammie again. She is all he ever wanted. Things seem to be going great but when an issue at work turns into a disaster. Dalton can see the determination is Cammie’s eyes and he fears that he may have lost her for good this time.

I couldn’t let her go. Not again. Not after reconnecting the way we had. There was a special bond between Cammie and me, something that never quite died with time. It didn’t fade away, lessen, or cease to exist, instead it simmered, waiting for us to come within feet of each other so it could reignite and set us both aflame. I was on fire and I refused to burn alone.

I adored Cammie’s character. She is beautiful, smart and witty. Her best friend Kristy is awesome and tells it like it is. Cammie continuously denied her feelings for Dalton. When she finally comes to terms with the fact she never truly got over him. You know that saying, people come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime. Well for Cammie, it takes her time to see which one Dalton is.

My heart broke for Cammie, the heartache and the fear she has. It seriously paralyzed her from being able to move forward with what she really wanted.

Dalton is just amazing. He knows what he wants and he goes after it. He is sexy, smart and funny. When he finally gets Cammie back in his arms it is like all is right in the world. It is like they were never apart.

Jenn has created two amazing characters with two awesome supporting characters with Kristy and Tucker. These characters aren’t like anything she has written before and I LOVE her for that!

Cammie and Dalton just stole my heart. I felt all of their emotions, the happiness, the loss, the heartache, the fear and excitement, the longing and their love for each other.

Who doesn’t want a second chance at that first amazing love? This was such an emotional and beautifully written book.

Sometimes life was messy and got in the way. But wasn’t that part of the beauty of falling in love and being in a relationship? You figured things out together as you grew, and faced the challenges that life enjoyed the hell out of throwing at you.

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**Though is part of the Hart Brothers Series, This is a Stand Alone Novel

**Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to its mature content and strong language.

Two lives with horrific pasts. One chance meeting that changed them both forever.

“One look at her and I want to run. Frizzy hair, thick glasses, mom jeans, and ruffles up to her neck. Who the hell wears shit like that? What decade is she living in? My mother doesn’t even dress like that!”

Raised by a monster, Kestrel Hart somehow survived. Now that the monster is dead, he’s trying to move on, to pull himself together. Struggling with issues no one can imagine, he moves away from his family, from the brother who loves him and the sister-in-law who supports and understands him the best.

Charleston, South Carolina is his new home. And he has a purpose. He’s opening up a new division of his brother’s corporation. But a surprise awaits him. Her name is Carter Drayton.

Carter’s past is also a painful one. She is dealing with the tragic death of her family. She’s healing in the only way she knows how.

Carter needs love. Kestrel craves human contact. Neither of them recognizes what’s right before their eyes. Will they see it before it’s too late?

As
we walk back to his place he says something to me that I’m not sure how to
take.

“Carter,
I was so wrong about you.”

“How’s
that?”

“Remember
the day we met and you asked me if you weren’t good enough and I said you
weren’t bad enough?”

“Yeah,
I remember.”

“I
don’t want you to be bad.” He stops and turns me to face him. “I need good in
my life. I need an angel, a human angel, like you. I’m sick of all the bad.”
Then he kisses me. We’re in the middle of King Street and people are
everywhere, having to move around the obstacle we’ve created. But Kestrel
doesn’t give a damn. He ends it as quickly as he started it and I’m walking with
him, stunned by his comment.

“Kestrel?”

“Yeah?”

“Will
you tell me your story someday?”

“Yeah.
But it may be a while.”

“Okay.”
I wrap my arm around his waist as we walk. “Do me a favor though.”

“What
is it?”

“Don’t
hurt me. I’m sort of fragile and I don’t think I can deal with that.”

“Same
here, Carter.”

“Do
me another favor, please.”

“Sure.”

“Whatever
you do, don’t let me fall in love with you.”

He
stops walking. “Why’s that?”

“Because
someone always loses in love.”

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn’t do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodge ball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what laptop out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone, called her boss, and quit her job. Grinning, she made another call to her hubs and told him of her new adventure (after making sure his heart was beating properly again).

So began A. M. Hargrove’s career as a Naughty and Nice Romance Author. Her books include the following: Edge of Disaster, Shattered Edge and Kissing Fire (The Edge Series); The Guardians of Vesturon Series (Survival, Resurrection, Determinant, reEmergent, and Beginnings); Dark Waltz, Death Waltz, Tragically Flawed (Tragic 1), Tragic Desires (Tragic 2), Exquisite Betrayal, Dirty Nights; and lastly Freeing Her, Freeing Him, and Kestrel—all part of the Hart Brothers Series.

Other than being in love with writing about love, she loves chocolate, ice cream, and coffee and is positive they should be added as part of the USDA food groups.

Kestrel (A Hart Brothers Novel)
**Although is part of the Hart Brothers Series, This is a Stand Alone Novel
**Not intended for readers under the age of 18 due to its mature content and strong language.

Two lives with horrific pasts. One chance meeting that changed them both forever.

“One look at her and I want to run. Frizzy hair, thick glasses, mom jeans, and ruffles up to her neck. Who the hell wears shit like that? What decade is she living in? My mother doesn’t even dress like that!”

Raised by a monster, Kestrel Hart somehow survived. Now that the monster is dead, he’s trying to move on, to pull himself together. Struggling with issues no one can imagine, he moves away from his family, from the brother who loves him and the sister-in-law who supports and understands him the best.
Charleston, South Carolina is his new home. And he has a purpose. He’s opening up a new division of his brother’s corporation. But a surprise awaits him. Her name is Carter Drayton.

Carter’s past is also a painful one. She is dealing with the tragic death of her family. She’s healing in the only way she knows how.

Carter needs love. Kestrel craves human contact. Neither of them recognizes what’s right before their eyes. Will they see it before it’s too late?

“I’ll do anything you want. Anything.” Then something comes over me. Call it madness. Desperation. Insanity. Call it whatever you want. I step right up to him and put my hands on his shoulders. Then I kiss him. He stands there like a chunk of stone. So I press my body up to him, and rub myself against him. I open my mouth and run my tongue over his lips, and then push it into his mouth. Nothing. No response. Humiliation sets in. I am not this girl. I’m the classic nerd. I don’t have boyfriends. Where is this coming from?

He pulls away from me and steps back, rubbing his mouth. “I’m sorry, but you’re not my type.” His features initially register shock. But worse than that, distaste replaces it.

That stings. Really stings. But even more dreadful, I am morbidly ashamed of myself. That doesn’t stop me from digging myself into an even deeper hole. “What? Am I not sexy enough? Are my clothes not revealing enough?”

“Um, Dr. Drayton, this is more than a bit awkward.”

“No, tell me. And my name is Carter.”

“You’re propositioning me.” Now I detect a hint of mockery.

“No, not propositioning. I want to strike a deal. You see, I’m a desperate woman. And desperate people do all kinds of things.”

“Carter, I’m really not interested.”

“I know I’m not very attractive, but if you want me to change the way I look, I can do that.”

“You don’t understand.”

“What? Am I not good enough for you?”

His eyes skim me from head to toe. “Good doesn’t have anything to do with it. You’re not bad enough for me.”

Kristie’s $0.02:

Kestrel is on the mend after living under his late father’s abuse and control. Although he has the love and support of family. He needs to be on his own. He grabs at the opportunity to open up a new division of his brother’s company. It is just what he needs to focus on rebuilding his life.

While taking a tour of a house he is interested in buying he meets Carter, who happens to own the house. He is completely shocked to see such a beautiful woman hiding behind clothes that shouldn’t be allowed in this decade. He is even more shocked at a proposal she makes to him. She isn’t his type at all but yet, there is something about her that pulls him. He takes her under his wing and is able to bring out the person she was.

They develop an unlikely friendship and quickly the lines between that friendship begin to blur. Once they give into their temptation for one another, there is no looking back. They have found what they each craved in each other.

Unfortunately their happiness is short lived and an unexpected danger threatens their future. Kestrel has fought his demons for too long and will not lose another person to evil. He will do everything he can to protect the ones he loves.

My heart just broke for Kestrel. Neglected of touch and human contact as a child, he craves touch like we need the air to breathe. The last thing he wanted to a relationship but Carter came into his life and then everything changed.

Kestrel is amazing. He is gorgeous, caring and scared. He was able to overcome his demons with the help of Carter.

Carter suffered a loss that not many people recover from. She tries to move on with her life but instead of living it, she hides behind her frumpy clothes and her research. When Kestrel buys her home, she is devastated and just can’t let go. You know that saying… desperate times call for desperate measures? She is broken and Kestrel helps her to be the person she was before her loss.

Even though they are both broken, I loved how together they were slowly able to piece each other back up. It wasn’t planned or expected. A heart achingly beautiful story of overcoming your demons, understanding it is ok to let go of the past so that you can embrace the future.

A.M. did a wonderful job. I can’t wait to see what she has coming next!

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Decker Brand has spent the past four years earning back his man-card. He’s got the calloused hands, the dirty jeans and the toned body to show for it. Now that he’s satisfied with who he is he intends to stay true to himself even if it means remaining alone.
Lingering glances, Soft touches, Shallow breaths…

April Maddox thought she’d lucked out when she found her prince at the early age of sixteen. Unfortunately, their kiss turned him from king to croaker right before her eyes.
Forsaken and cynical, she fears all men will leave her with warts before hopping off to another woman’s lily pad.

Smooth strokes, Light nips, Gentle tugs…
When it comes to relationships, they say timing is everything, and everything has its time.
History has played a part in Decker and April’s desire to give up on love. Fate will lead them to one another. It’s up to them to battle the outside forces, life’s interruptions, and daily dramas… together. With a little faith, they can undo everything that’s been…

Blocked

**CONTENT WARNING** Due to explicit content, adult situations, and foul language, this book is not appropriate for readers under 18.

However, if you are over 18 and are looking for something witty, sexy and smart… one-click this baby and enjoy.

Pet’s $0.02:

Is there a verbal equivalent of giving a reader just enough information to hang themselves? I think it’s called a mind-fuck and that’s exactly what Lisa N. Paul does to you in the teaser of chapter 15 she gives us at the beginning of this story.

She dumps us into the story with a glimpse into a highly erotic dinner between Decker and April. April desperately wants Decker, Decker can’t get the taste of April’s lips off of his mind…. If they’re quiet they won’t wake up Charlie who’s probably already asleep…. Wait! What? You incredible bastards! Are April and Decker cheaters? Who’s Charlie?

By the time I got to chapter 2 I realized that I had everything wrong and what a cynical bitch I have become. April? That woman has been betrayed in the worst way by her cheating ex-husband. Decker? His wife truly was a bitch. And Charlie? Well, I’ll leave that for you to figure out for yourself.

April and Decker’s story kept a smile of my face from beginning to end. And I don’t mean laughed out loud, not saying that it didn’t happen, but just kept this big shit-eating grin on my face because I liked the characters so much.

Now, you know it can’t be all rainbows and sunshine from start to finish. I mean, we need drama! We need obstacles for our characters to overcome. And, we expect it! We want it, dammit! Lisa gives us conflict, but it’s not earth shattering, it’s not something that will destroy, it’s more the proverbial Lego or Matchbox car on a dark living room carpet. It hurts, it’s going to piss you off, and it’s going to make you cuss up a fucking storm. But once you’ve calmed down you’ll get over it, maybe threaten to throw all their toys away and if they’re smart, they’ll learn to never do that again. Which is what, essentially, happens with April and Decker.

Throw in some cross over connections with all the characters from Charistown and Lisa N. Paul has another hit series on her hands. And I can’t wait to find out where she takes them.

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If…
Someone hadn’t scarred my face.
I hadn’t followed my dreams to LA.
That tweaker hadn’t attacked that homeless guy.
I hadn’t invited a stranger over for Thanksgiving.
I hadn’t fallen in love.

If I hadn’t lost him.
——
If…
I hadn’t gone for that drive.
I saw the world like everyone else.
My “genius” wasn’t slowly destroying me.
I had just walked away before I could ever know her.
She hadn’t ignited the spark.

If the spark didn’t ignite the madness.

This is a new adult romance. NOT erotica. Standalone novel.

ellie’s $0.02:

This is the story of Birdie and Ash. Two people who are doing their best to survive in L.A. Birdie as a dancer and Ash, well Ash, is just struggling to exist.

Birdie, oh my god, Birdie….I admire the hell out of this girl. Birdie is an exceptionally gifted girl who’s left college to move to L.A. and become a dancer. Dance as a career is hard enough. The competition is fierce, the other dancers can be judgmental bitches and no one wants to hire a dancer, regardless of how good they are, when their face is horribly scarred. But Birdie doesn’t even entertain the idea of quitting. She just reminds herself that she made the choice to go after this dream and she sticks with it. She knew her scars, in a profession that prizes looks, would be a problem but she doesn’t let it stop her. She just keeps going after what she’s always dreamed of becoming.

Ash is the quiet boy who lives on the streets of Skid Row and who Birdie can’t help noticing. There’s just something about him that she can’t overlook.

But this isn’t a one sided attraction. Ash has also been watching Birdie and he’s captivated by the beauty that surrounds her. And by surrounds her, I mean literally surrounds her like a halo. Ash doesn’t see beauty the same way everyone else does. He has a condition called Synesthesia, which jumbles up his senses. He might taste emotions, or see sounds…. and to him Birdie is beautiful. What Birdie doesn’t know is that Ash is hiding his Synesthesia from her…

Ash was one of those characters that I just wanted to hug and take home to take care of and Birdie is one of those very cool people that you just want to know. Everything that happens between them, and to them, takes them on a journey that will make you laugh, cry and cringe. They’re a boy and girl who met way to young to handle everything that life throws at them and you’ll be right there with them as they figure it out. The story of Birdie and Ash is not one you’re going to forget quickly.

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“Breathtaking. I am in love with this story.” – Schmexy Girl Book Blog

“A masterpiece. This story is not just a breath of fresh air, but a different kind of oxygen.” – Bookslapped

“The most beautiful thing I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I am changed.” – We Solemnly Swear Book Blog

“The Summer Remains was probably one of the most beautiful and heartfelt books I’ve ever had the chance to read. You don’t read something this extraordinary without having it change you.” – The Never Ending Book Basket

“I read (The Summer Remains) twelve hours ago and it has already impacted my life. There are no words to explain it. You just have to experience it yourself.” – Cover to Cover Book Blog

Twenty-four-year-old Summer Johnson knows two things. The first is that due to a quickly worsening medical condition, she faces a risky surgery in three months’ time that may or may not end in her death. The second is that she would like to fall in love before then.

As spring sinks into her namesake season on the Florida coastline, Summer plays the odds and downloads a new dating app – and after one intriguing message from a beautiful surfer named Cooper Nichols, it becomes clear that the story of what may be her last few months under the sun is about to be completely revised. All she has to do now is write something worth reading.

Tender, honest, devastating and triumphant, The Summer Remains explores a very human battle being waged in a very digital age: the search for a love that will outlast this temporary borrowing of bones. In an era when many feel compelled to share and re-share anything about everything, prepare to feel a love so special, you will want to hug it close and make it yours forever.

AJ’s $0.02:

I remember the exact words I said to my friend about a new up and coming author named Seth King; “You have to read him. Keep your eye on this guy. He’s a fantastic writer, young, talented, good looking (yes I noticed). Seth King will be a fucking rockstar.”

After finishing The Summer Remains I was hit with a massive realization, one buried underneath the trails of Kleenex’s from my couch to my bedroom; I completely undersold him. In fact now as I sit here, writing this review, eyes still swollen, I’m at a complete loss of words at just how to describe him in a way that will give him any justice. So maybe as I continue to write, by the end of it I will have decided how to properly give him his dues.

Summer has been dealt a shit hand, which is actually probably the biggest of understatements, but I feel like that is how Summer would describe it. She has been living with a life threatening condition, Esophogeal Intresia (IT’S NOT CANCER) and has three months to try and immerse herself in some type of normalcy before she has to have a surgery. A surgery that will either kill her or save her and the odds are not in her favor. Summer’s only wish, the only thing she wants to do with what little time she may have left is fall in love.

“Because I, Summer Johnson, Purveyor of Pragmatism, Lover of Logic, Ultimate Believer in the Rational, and Person Who Was Maybe Going To Die Soon, wanted to drown in someone.”

Don’t we all Summer. Don’t we all.

Summer, unstrap that life vest because you are about to meet Cooper.

Cooper, the attractive, slightly eccentric genius whose honesty and ability to care for those around him will make you swoon and fall in love and pray to whatever god that you believe in to bring you a Cooper of your very own.

You will fall in love with Cooper and Summer just as they fall in love with one another. You will laugh with them, cry with them and if you are paying attention you will learn with them too. In fact if by the end of this book you aren’t having any type of “holy fuck what kind of life am I living right now” moment, you need to go back and read it again

I’m not going to sugarcoat anything here. This novel will destroy you. Summer and Cooper’s story will wreck you, gut you, crush you and yet somehow through it all, it manages to build your spirit and strengthen your resolve. Make even the biggest cynic or the saddest soul believe in love, in life and in something that should be so simple and yet is so difficult to hold onto; happiness.

The Summer Remains is a true Masterpiece and Seth King’s ability to weave words in such a poetic and lyrical way I suppose makes him more of a Maestro than a rockstar, although I think rockstar just sounds cooler. So I’ll stick with that. Seth King is a fucking rockstar and this book is one I think should be read by everyone, although the selfish part of me sides with Summer about one thing;

“…I just want to hug my book and make sure nobody else in the world ever reads those words because they are mine…”

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Darkness has a seductive power, a delicious energy that sinks its claws in deep. Once the devil has a hold of you, true malevolence is born.

Sheriff Brady James has sworn to protect the small town of Durham Heights, his current priority to ruthlessly hunt a sadistic killer on the loose. With lives at stake, his focus is split between two beautiful women – one dark, one light. The clock is ticking, the threat palpable; crawling closer at every turn. Once death has you in its sights, there is no escape.

Pain. Suffering. Lives shattered and broken. In the fight of good against evil, who will survive?

This is the first book in the Darkness series, a wishing evil upon others novel that can be read as a standalone.

Due to mature content and violent situations, this book is recommended for readers 18 years and up.

ellie’s $0.02:

I met Cassia for the first time at the Vegas book signing in October. We’ve stayed in touch… you know… became friends or something. We talked. We chatted. We laughed. A couple months ago Cassia messages me and says…. “Wait, ellie… you’re an editor?” Duh. I say I am anyway…

Long story short (I know, sometimes I get long winded with these things), Cassia send me her work of art to edit. I get part way through the first chapter and immediately message her: “What. The. Fuck.” She messages back in a panic. “Chapter one is intense. Is it too intense?”

Um yeah. It’s fucking intense. Insanely intense. But dude… it roped me in and I was not letting this book out of my hands until I was finished. “Intense” was the understatement of the century.

Wait. I have a tangent. I met Cassia last year at the Vegas signing as an attendee. What a sweet lil’ thing. I’m still wondering where the fuck she came up with this story. This is dark. This is intense. This is a disturbing thriller.

Anyway… as I’m editing this, I’m messaging the rest of the LNB Team (that’s Love N. Books minus the Love N. Hunks) and telling them about this mystery thriller I’m editing. Wait, what? Mystery thriller? Yeah, yeah… there is romance in it too… but yeah. Murder. Mystery. Oh… and one sexy as hell Sheriff.